- Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed an iGaming bill on Thursday that will legalize online slots and table games.
- The online gambling industry will launch in April of 2024.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island became the seventh US state to legalize iGaming following Governor Daniel McKee’s approval of Senate Bill 0948 on Thursday. iGaming will be regulated in the state by the Rhode Island Division of the Lottery.
On June 15, the Rhode Island House concurred with the Senate and sent the bill to the governor. Governor Daniel McKee was given six days to decide whether to approve or veto the bill, which he ultimately approved just hours before the deadline.
Rhode Island now joins Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia as the only states with online casinos available to residents.
Rhode Island Senate Bill 0948 states that the law will tax online slots revenue at a 50% rate and table games revenue at an 18% rate. The law also states that players must be 21 years old to gamble, although the minimum sports betting age in Rhode Island is 18.
RI S 0948 requires live dealers for online blackjack and other table games, which is unique compared to other legal iGaming states. The iGaming industry will be operated by Bally’s Corp., which has monopolized the Rhode Island casino industry.
Bally’s now extends their ownership of brick-and-mortar casinos to online gambling, which was expected after Bally’s helped write the bill signed by Governor McKee on Thursday. Bally’s and its IGT supplier signed a 20-year contract with Rhode Island to operate Bally’s Tiverton and Bally’s Lincoln, which now contains the online casino industry.
Following Governor McKee’s approval, Rhode Island online gambling in Rhode Island is officially coming in April of 2024.